Protecting our Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are essential to our economy and our culture in Wisconsin. However, pollution, sewage overflows, algae blooms and invasive species leave the Great Lakes vulnerable. Addressing the growing threats to these Lakes is necessary to protect a national treasure and our way of life. Clean Wisconsin works on several fronts to protect and restore the Great Lakes to ensure they remain as magnificent for future generations as they are today.

Clean Wisconsin does this by:

Clean Wisconsin was an instrumental partner in the passage of the Great Lakes Compact, which protects one of Wisconsin’s – and America’s – most valuable resources. However, our work on the agreement isn’t over. Clean Wisconsin works to ensure we strongly implement the Compact so the Great Lakes remain vibrant for all.

In 2013, Waukesha became the first city to file an application to divert water away from the Great Lakes basin. We believe the proposal, as it stands, fails to meet the standards set by the Compact, and we will work with project stakeholders to make sure we protect the Great Lakes.

Runoff from farm fields, city streets, fertilized lawns and construction sites endangers our waters, including the Great Lakes. We work to implement policies and runoff management strategies, like Adaptive Management Option, to protect our lakes, rivers and drinking water.

Invasive species, like Asian Carp, threaten the Great Lakes by cutting off the food supply and sunlight to native plants and animals essential to the ecosystem. Clean Wisconsin continues to protect our lakes by fighting invasive species.

Microbeads, tiny plastic particles found in personal care products, are draining out our sinks and into our Great Lakes at an alarming rate. We’ve spearheaded an initiative to end the manufacture and sale of microbead-containing products in Wisconsin to protect our water, wildlife and health.